The San Pedro Sun

Seven island students receive CSEC Awards of ExcellenceOn Wednesday, November 26th the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) National Committee of Belize held their annual national award ceremony for the 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE). The ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Complex Building in Orange Walk Town and saw hundreds of secondary and tertiary students being awarded. Among the awardees were seven graduates from San Pedro High School (SPHS) who received CSEC Awards of Excellence. The awardees were: Alisha Cadle, Geovanna Carillo, Kelsey Luna, Vivian Noralez, Mahe Perreira, Jasmine Ritchie, Gian Rivero, Marlon Santos and Doris Soriano.
CSEC and CAPE are proficiency exams offered to students graduating from secondary and tertiary institutions, respectively, across the Caribbean Region in May and June of each year. According to the Ministry of Education this year’s results saw an increase in passes and higher grades. “We are here to celebrate our students both at the CSEC and the CAPE level because they are the excellent; they are the shining stars of the Belize education system and we ought very much to be proud of them and to give them all the praise, the props, everything that they have worked so hard for. This year, Belize performed exceptionally in both exams, and we expect to continue in this growth in the years to come,” said Minister of Education, Patrick Faber at the ceremony.

PC Hector Blanco takes the November Officer of the Month AwardNovember’s Officer of the Month Award went to Police Constable (PC) 1443 Hector Blanco who was honored during a short ceremony on Tuesday, December 2nd. PC Blanco works as the administrative assistant at the San Pedro Police Department and was thrilled to be the recipient of the Officer of the Month award. At the ceremony, Deputy in Charge of San Pedro Police, Inspector Henry Jemmott and General Manager of Fido’s Courtyard, Brian Cook presented PC Blanco with several tokens of recognition for his hard work.
PC Blanco has been serving in San Pedro for the past two years. According to Inspector Jemmott, although PC Blanco is one of the officers that is not often seen by the community, his role plays a crucial part in the smooth running of the station. “PC Blanco works as one of our administrative staff. He plays several roles in the station and has several tasks to do on a daily basis. PC Blanco is our computer specialist, technician, clerk, and even secretary. He ensures that everything is ready for police officers to charge criminals and that cases are well prepared. Overall, his assistance to the police is essential,” said Jemmott.

San Pedro Cadets and Police hold Christmas DriveChristmas is a time of giving and the San Pedro Cadet Corps have taken on the task to give back to their community. Your help is needed to help the Cadets meet their goal of giving back to the less fortunate residents of Ambergris Caye. This year, the Cadets in collaboration with the San Pedro Police Department, are conducting a Christmas Drive to collect items that will be distribute to underprivileged families just in time for the Christmas Holidays. According to Deputy in Charge of the San Pedro Police, Inspector Henry Jemmott, the aim of the drive is to give back to the community and spread Christmas cheer. Police are asking the community to donate anything from non-perishable food items, to clothes and toys. “We are asking the community to give what they can. These items will be sorted and packaged to be given to families. Not everyone living on the island is privileged to receive gifts for Christmas.

Mayor’s Cup heads to the finalsThe final round of games for the regular season was played on Saturday, November 29th at 6PM and saw five matches. The night also saw four teams fighting for the three remaining spots in the semi-finals. In the first match, Warriors FC took on Green House FC. As one of the teams competing to qualify for the semi-finals, Green House FC had to win their match in order to advance. The match was a struggle for both teams, but in the end Green House FC managed to take advantage of Warriors FC and took the victory in a 1-0 point game. There was much anticipation on the field as FC Aluminum Fabricators took on Pro Divers FC in the second match of the night. The teams only have one more game to prove themselves and it’s going to be more than exciting after the first games’ result! The second leg of the semi-finals will take place on Saturday, December 6th starting at 3PM. Green House FC will once again face off against FC Aluminum Fabricators, while Dorados FC will take on Pro Divers FC. At the end of the two games organizers will announce the two teams heading to the finals that will be played on Sunday, December 7th starting at 3PM. Presentation of trophies, prizes and individual awards will be issued immediately after on Sunday. You don’t want to miss out on this football action! For more information on the tournament contact, organizers Jesus Lozano at 607-1543 or Kenny Witzil at 664-7566.

Ambergris Today

Blue Water Grill and Social Media Raise $1,717 for Cancer Society“Feels So Good To Know We Are Not Alone In The Battle Against Cancer!” commented Miguel Perez, of the San Pedro Cancer Society as he and the group members humbly accepted a check of $1,717.00 from Blue Water Grill on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.
December 2 was ‘Happy Giving Tuesday’ and the management of Blue Water Grill was feeling very giving so the decision was made to donate $1 for every “LIKE” they received on a special Facebook post. “We need your help,” stated the post on the restaurant’s Facebook Page. “Help us make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer.”
And so the followers, fans and clients of Blue Water Grill started liking; by the end of the day at midnight the post had received 1717 likes as people shared, commented and showed their support. True to their word, Blue Water Grill presented a check of the same amount of likes to the San Pedro Cancer Society that was very grateful.

Ride For Belize. Ride With Oceana 2014 for a CauseBetween Thursday, November 27 and Sunday, November 30, 2014, cyclists from across Belize took to the country’s major highways to promote the need for increased public participation in the protection and sustainable development of Belize’s precious marine resources.
The participants rode from the shores of Corozal Bay in the North to the coastal town of Punta Gorda in the South via the commercial capital Belize City in the East, the geographic capital of Belmopan and the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena in the west, a distance of approximately 350 miles.
According to event organizer Oceana’s National Grassroots Coordinator Amelita Knowles, in total more than 100 riders participated in the various stages of the four day event. “The metaphors between cycling and conservation are clear: when we all come together and do our part, we achieve great things. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining environmental consciousness. Present and future generations of Belizeans will benefit from our efforts today. We need to create a Belize where the environment doesn’t need protection; protecting what we love should be as natural as being proud of being a Belizean.”

Belize Public and Bank Holidays 2015The Government of Belize Press Office has sent out a press release informing about the Public and Bank holidays for 2015. It is notified for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and the Second Schedules to the Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2015 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act:-

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize FISHING REPORT: November 22nd – 29th, 2014 It was a bustling Thanksgiving week here at El Pescador. Turkey dinner for 85 – and it was amazing. Thank you to Bella our head chef and the talented kitchen crew for pulling it off under the direction and wise guidance of Miss Chris. We are thankful for our return “family” that make El Pescador their home in Belize. Cary and Kristen have been diving with Alonzo for ten years – and because they are teachers, we see them on Thanksgiving vacation. Aki, Chris and Mak – we always love to see you here and it was especially wonderful to share Thanksgiving with you. Jack and Ann – thank you for telling your family you had to change things up this year and go fishing. It’s a good reason! Sally, I know this is going to be a wonderful year for you! With all the generations of family and friends that showed up to wish you the most special 50th birthday – it has to be great!
And to our El Pescador family, thank you. We are a team of 45 and everyone’s job here is very important. We are thankful to Ali, Chris and Steve for running a tight ship and at the same time “being there” for your employees when needed. And Max our EP dog is thankful that Jacob is back working as one of our night guards. Jake was out for a month due to a bike accident, and Max was in a deep dark depression. Now his tail is wagging. So we leave you this week with wagging tails and gratitude. May the wind stay at your back and offer you good tides!

28 year old murdered todayRobert Tracey was shot and killed in the Jump Street Area of Belize City this Wednesday December 3rd, 2014.
In 2012 Tracey, then 25 years old was once charged with attempted Murder and Grievous Harm for the stabbing of a former security guard of the Magistrate's Court. In January 2011, Tracey then 24 was remanded for being one of three men who allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint on December 31st, 2010. In 2009, Tracey, then 22 was charged along with a minor the robbery of Brads Store on West Collet Canal at gunpoint. He allegedly was going to turn his life around.

Belmopan RingRoad Project Approved
More good news for our beautiful Belmopan. The Caribbean Development Bank has approved the Belmopan RingRoad Project. This will include walking, running and cycling path; roundabouts at hospital/ringroad junction, Western Highway/Hummingbird Highway junction, Forest Drive/Hummingbird Highway junction. And Belmopan's first set of traffic lights at the Police Training Academy junction.

Boxes of Joy Fashion ShowAdorable kids strutting the run way for a great cause. You too, can help to bring Christmas to underprivileged children by purchasing a ticket.
Tickets available @ The San Pedro Sun Office
General $5, Reserved $10, Front Row $20.

What’s the connection between Cayo North and the Forestry Department?Equipment from the Forestry Department was designated to fix the terrible road conditions in the Mountain Pine Ridge Area of Cayo. However, though the roads are deplorable the equipment for the past few months have been taken to Cayo North. A bulldozer that is property of the department is currently in the El Pilar area. Does the Forestry Department know that it’s equipment is being used elsewhere? Residents are claiming it is a political issue why the equipment has been removed from the Pine Ridge.
If you live in Cayo South or the Mountain Pine Ridge area, please contact the Forest Department or if you know the identity of the Returning Officer for Cayo North, please contact that person as well about the situation.

Seasons for game meat in BelizeIf stewed Gibnut is favorite meal for you, make the most of it this month in December because come Jan 1st the season to hunt and eat it is closed until June 1st when season reopens. Be responsible and only buy your game meat from licensed hunters or licensed game meat dealers, these people PAY Forestry for a license to legally hunt, don't undermine their responsible hunting practices by buying meat from unlicensed hunters or out of season. Below is the seasons for game meat in Belize and requirements for hunting or dealing/selling game meat license.

Channel 7

Amidst Speculation, Mayor Says He Isn't Going AnywhereHas Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley resigned? Well, that’s the strong report we got this afternoon. As we told you on Monday, he’s very frustrated with Central Government and his own council for a number of reasons. But is it enough to make him do the unthinkable and resign three months before a municipal election?
Well, reports to our newsroom on Monday said that he packed up his office. But what really has the Mayor done?
We caught him just a few minutes ago at a tree-lighting in downtown Belize City. Santa Claus hat and all that’s what Daniel Ortiz asked him. Because of time constraints, we air the interview uncut:
Daniel Ortiz
"We have received persistent reports that you have tendered your resignation and that is has not been accepted, have you done such thing?"

Usher And Hon. Boots Square Off On SidewalkGilroy Usher Senior has been making a name for himself in the media recently. We wouldn’t say he’s a nationally known figure – but with the egg throwing stunt he pulled in early October, he certainly earned some recognition – after all nobody had thrown egg at the Guatemalan Embassy before.
And today, he turned his focus from national issues to the division where he is running. That’s Port Loyola – where he is challenging incumbent Anthony Boots Martinez for a second time.
Today’s protest was designed to challenge Martinez as the Minister of Poverty Alleviation – but it ended up in a sidewalk face that will make you need laughter alleviation. And while it ended in comic relief it started on a confrontational note:….
This morning at 9:30. a few dozen supporters gathered under the bus shed on Central American Boulevard.

BSI and BSCFA Back To Negotiating TableTonight, the cane farmers and the factory owners still have not signed a commercial agreement for the start of the crop season, but they are closer than they have been in almost a year.
In a Government facilitated meeting held today, BSI, BSCFA and the Sugar Industry Control Board met for 6 hours at the BSI Staff Club in Orange Walk where both sides tried their very best to arrive at a compromise on 3 major points of contention which is preventing a signed commercial agreement for the crop season.
As we’ve told you the farmers have directed their negotiators that to inform BSI that they will not deliver their cane unless an agreement, either long term or interim, has been signed.
The points they can’t agree on are the term of the agreement, the formula for bagasse and the ownership of the cane.

DPP Says Teenager Will Be Charged For Diplomat's MurderLast week Thursday, we told you how the 18 year-old Belmopan Resident, Wilser Echeverria, was arraigned and remanded for a charge related to the death of the Panamanian Diplomat, Jose Rodrigo De la Rosa Stanford. Well tonight, the news is that he will now be charged directly for De La Rosa’s murder.
After 6 days of reviewing the case file for herself, the Director of Public Prosecutions signed off, and indicated to the investigator that her office now supports the laying of the charge.
In communication with us today, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal told us quote,
“My request to the police for additional evidence in the Echeverria matter was finally complied with in its entirety this morning and I later gave them the authority to lay the charge of murder. This is obviously a case in which there is no eyewitness evidence and in order to rebut the allegation of the suspect, and prove that the killing was unlawful, the circumstantial and forensic evidence is critical. I could not have properly made a decision until I had certain evidence before me and so no directive was given until today.”

City Murder Devastates FamilyThere was a murder in Belize City this morning. It happened two blocks across from our Albert Street studio on Wagner’s Lane, known as Jump Street. Robert Tracey who’d had run-in’s with the law before was out of his neighborhood – he’s from behind Gungulung but found himself in foreign turf this morning. Is that why he was shot and killed? That’s what Monica Bodden tried to find out from his family today:…
Rafael Martinez – Police Press Officer
"Regarding the shooting incident that occurred on Wagner's lane at about 10 o'clock this morning. We have confirmed the identity of the person who was shot he is 27 year old Robert Austin Tracy, Emmanual street address in the Gungulung area as it is locally known."
It was in front of this two story concrete building on Wagner’s Lane – where 27 year old Robert Tracy was gunned down just before 10 this morning.
He was allegedly sitting on a stool – when his attacker pulled up from behind him and fired a single shot-
That shot caught Tracy to the head- and killed him almost instantly.
His family received the news just minutes after he was killed.

Curious Relationship: KH and HKWe told you about the KHMH special audit last night. At 77 pages long it details a good many of eyebrow raising procedural irregularities in just a few product acquisitions.
And in the audit we found that the KHMH made a surprising number of those acquisitions from a company all the way in Hong Kong. We tried to find out more about Spring Holdings:…
Jules Vasquez Reporting…..
Spring HK Holdings Ltd – that company name comes up many times in the audit. The HK stands for Hong Kong, and their address says they are headquartered in this towering building, the Trend Center.
It says they are in Room 2015 – but we found multiple businesses all over the internet using that same address – including this one, Astra Defence a Swiss arms company.

"Rebel" for RobberyTwenty-two year old Elvis Olivera, aka “Rebel”, charged with robbery, is spending the first night of a 2 year prison sentence, handed to him today by the Chief magistrate, Anne Marie Smith.
Kerwin Humes testified that at about 8:30 p.m. on March 20, 2014, he was riding home from a friend’s house when Olivera pulled up beside him on Regent Street near to the House of Culture and threw him off his bicycle. Humes said Olivera, who used to play with him on the same basketball team, got over him and began to punch him on his face.
Humes said Olivera then took his Samsung Galaxy cellular phone from his shirt pocket and rode away contrary to the flow of traffic. Humes positively identified Olivera as the person who robbed him, and a police constable who was at the House of culture, went to the scene when he heard Humes crying out for help. The officer testified that when he arrived he saw Olivera riding off. A police sergeant testified that he retrieved the cell phone from Olivera 3 days later.

Visionaries In Innovation NationInnovations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics were on display today at the Princess Hotel and young bright minds were behind those innovations. High School students from across the country were tasked to devise practical solutions to problems affecting their schools and communities for the SAGICOR VISIONARIES CHALLENGE.
On Monday we gave you a glimpse of what to expect with Canaan's electromagnetic generator ventilation system but today the innovation nation was in full force. Courtney Weatherburne found out more:…
The Kings Room at the Princess Hotel was packed with young visionaries this morning. The participants in the SAGICOR Visionaries Challenge had ingenious innovations on display that explored solutions to various health and environmental issues.
Jon Moreno - Muffles College
"What I am basically doing is using lemon grass tea, mostly known as fever grass. You boil the leaves to make this tea that will make you reduce high blood pressure. The reason i'm doing this is because due to many of our parents and adults working, they have less time to take care of themselves. They have less time to cook their own meals and they rely on fast foods and canned foods."

Lost Police Flash Drive Has Super Sensitive InformationMore is known tonight about the flash drive, which was lost by a police officer attached to Special Branch. As we told you, the drive with thousands of files has found its way into civilian hands. The problem is that many of those files are sensitive – and tonight we know that as many of a hundred of them are what we would have to call “super-sensitive.”
We have learned that the drive contains what are known as “source sheets” – these are documents that the Special Branch keeps to compile details of confidential informants.
Former special branch officers tell us that there are strict rules against having these on any portable memory device – and that they should only be hand delivered in hard copy to the head of special branch.

Talking Tourism to MexicoA month ago we reported on the visit from the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce to establish a strong and more balanced business relationship with Belizean business owners. Well today another trade show was held that echoed that objective. It was called the Tourist fair and tour operators, travel agencies and hotel representatives from Chetumal, Mahahual and Bacalar met at the Institute of Mexico. The hope is to encourage Belizean service providers to consider doing business in Mexico. The Mexican ambassador told us more:….
Mario Velazquez- Ambassador of Mexico
"It is just wonderful to have this kind of occasion when we can exchange Mexican entrepreneurs and Belizean entrepreneurs. When they meet together in that moment, they start to find that perhaps you have the ideas, the knowledge, the products that I need. The Canaco is a Mexican organisation of entrepreneurs. They are inviting Belizeans to come, to their premises in Mexico for making business in Mexico, selling Belizean products and services.”

Five Remanded For Firearm OffencesFive people are in jail tonight after they were taken to Magistrate’s Court for firearm offences relating to 2 separate cases.
In the first, a family of three adults, and a 16 year old boy were charged for a single round of unlicensed ammunition when they appeared before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. The adults are 29 year old Shantel Usher, 19 year old Donovan Usher and 23 year old Danika Usher.
They all pled not guilty to the charge, and during the arraignment, Chief Magistrate Smith told the prosecutor that if he doesn’t come back with the facts of this case on Friday, December 5, to prove the case against the defendants, she will dismiss the matter. Her hands were tied in relation to the law, and so, she remanded the four defendants into custody until December 5. The incident occurred on December 2. The police reported that when they searched a house on Cardinez Alley they found one single bronze 9 millimeter bullet on a shelf beside a pink bag in one of the rooms.

Cop Charged For Handcuffs Found On Cervantez Sr.Police have charged one of their own with disciplinary charges because his handcuffs were found with the body of Ramon Cervantes Sr., the well known businessman and former politician who was abducted and murdered.
It’s of note because the man claiming to be Manuel Castillo, who allegedly spoke to the Cervantez family, said in the phone call that there was police involvement in the murder.
As we’ve told you, investigators found police handcuffs with Ramon Sr’s body in the shallow grave where he was inhumanely dumped. They have determined that it belongs to Police Constable Javier Alvarez. Sources tell us that he was fined $200 by disciplinary body today, and he will face serious reprimand by the department.

Standards For LaboratoriesEnglebert Emmanuel - Director of Licensing and Accreditation Unit, MOH
"It is to come up with a standard policy that will actually address the whole concept around quality and standards, that then prepare laboratories for the accreditation system."
Courtney Weatherburne
"What are some of the topics you are discussing here, some of the key topics that surround the broader issue of that laboratory policy?"
Englebert Emmanuel
"We are looking at regulation, we're looking at lab support systems, we're looking at quality system and we're looking at data management and public health response. So those are the 5 main areas we are focusing on in term of insuring a standardisation across the country."

Mixing Water, Oil and Oil PaintWater and oil can’t mix – and the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage held a poster competition to encourage primary schoolers to come up with artwork depicting Belize with a Properly Planned Oil Industry versus an Improperly Planned Oil Industry.”
Now, we all know, and the kids kind of do too, that for the coalition “properly planned” means no offshore oil exploration. So you could call it a slightly leading proposition, but the kids didn’t seem to mind. 43 of them from across the country entered and they were put up for display today at the Bliss Center:…
As you saw, 1st Place went to Amber McKoy from Grace Primary School, 2nd Place went to St. Mary’s Art Club and 3rd Place: Tanya Chi from Belize Elementary School.

Disability and DiversityIt’s disability awareness week – and this year it’s being celebrated under the theme, “Sustainable Development – the promise of technology.” The week started with a mass and the highlite event is the finger spelling Bee which will be held tomorrow. But today, they took to the streets to communicate the message about people with diverse abilities:…

The City's Tree ...And while they were in the city streets today – tonight – all roads led to the downtown area where the Bowen and Bowen Christmas Tree was lit.
It was the 4th Annual Ceremony and the mayor told us why it’s significant:

PUP Says Cheers to Christmas CheerAnd in one more news item tonight – the UDP has posted on Alfonso Noble’s facebook page that the Secretary General of the PUP has written to the financial secretary informing that the PUP will participate in the Chrstmas Cheer programme.

Channel 5

Tracy Gunned Down in Belize CityBlood spilled again this morning in Belize City. So far there have been three execution style murders in six days; the most recent occurred at ten this morning on Wagner’s [...]

BSI and BSCFA at the Negotiating TableAfter a long period of hostilities from afar, A.S.R./B.S.I. and the B.S.C.F.A. are back at the negotiating table. Along with representatives of the Sugar Industry Control Board, both parties met [...]

Echeverria To Be Charged for MurderThe life of a Panamanian diplomat was snuffed out on Sunday, November twenty-third; his body was found by a church goer in an area called La Choza in the capital. [...]

KHMH Audit Lists Serious IrregularitiesFormer Director of Financial Services at the K.H.M.H., Carlos Perera, was let go from the K.H.M.H. amid reports of irregularities; the Board of Governors decided not to renew his contract [...]

Christmas Cheer Mortgage Program ExplainedOn Tuesday, government announced that it was going ahead with a Residential Mortgage Payment Program it had first announced in September to pay interest and principal payments for mortgages for [...]

Family Remanded for a BulletAt noon today a family, including a sixteen year old minor, was dragged to court on a single charge of possession of a round of a nine-millimeter ammunition, but the Chief Magistrate [...]

Winners of Visionaries Challenge NamedThe Sagicor Visionaries Challenge took place today in Belize City. More than thirty entries were submitted by schools across the country on projects that focus on science, technology, engineering and [...]

Citrus Industry Dispute Settled Out of CourtSince the restructuring of Citrus Products of Belize Limited in April, news from Pomona Valley has been rather far and few. That’s not to say however, that there isn’t much [...]

Audits of CPBL UnderwayAs far as progress concerning the state of affairs of CPBL, audits of the company, which had been stalled indefinitely, are being completed for 2013 and 2014. The delay subsequently [...]

Mexico Hosts Tourism FairThree weeks ago, a bilateral meeting was held between the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its counterparts in Mexico. As a follow-up to that meeting, today at the [...]

Disability Week LaunchedThe first week of December every year is celebrated annually as Disability Week…including December third that is designated as International Day for People with Disabilities. The week of activities promotes [...]

Nunez Speaks on Theme of Disability WeekAs a person living with a disability, Nunez spoke on the theme for this year’s celebration…that is, “Sustainable Development; the Promise of Technology.” He says that disabled persons have equal rights. [...]

MoH Holds Workshop in Belize CityA workshop to develop a national laboratory policy of medical labs—both private and public institutions—was held today in Belize City. The event brought together stakeholders and partners to create a [...]

CTV3

Another Murder Recorded In Belize CityTonight there is another homicide to report and it also comes from the old capital. This morning 27 year old Robert Austin Tracey was shot once to the head around 10:00 while on Wagner’s Lane.
Police are yet to ascertain what Tracey was doing on Wagner’s Lane at the time of his demise. What they can say though is that prior to his death he was seen hanging out in the area.

Orange Walk First Female Mayor PassesTonight we are saddened to report that Orange Walk’s first female Mayor has passed away. Seventy year old Agripina Espejo who served as Mayor of Orange Walk Town from 1994 to 1995 and a portion of 1997 died in Belize City this afternoon at 2:00pm at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital of a heart attack. Mrs. Espejo was a dialysis patient for the past five years.
In February of 2013 Mrs. Espejo and 12 past Mayors of Orange Walk Town were honored by the present Orange Walk Town Council as their names were encrypted on a mural. Here is an interview we did with Mrs. Espejo on the day the mural was inaugurated and she received her award.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the Espejo family.

BSI/ASR And BSCFA Meet But Still No Date Set For Commencement Of Crop
Today, representatives of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and ASR/BSI met at the head table at the BSI Staff Club to resume negotiations. The Association went in with the hope that the meeting would yield positive results and allow for the cane farmers and factory owners to prepare for the start of the crop season. Meanwhile, BSI went in with the hope to finalize an agreement. Our news team met with the leaders on both sides and what we can tell you is that at the end of the nearly five hours meeting, there seems to be a light at the end of the sugar-cane crop tunnel. Maria Novelo reports.
Maria Novelo – Reporting
Belizario Carballo – Financial Director, BSI/ASR
“We would like to feel that there is an opportunity to conclude the agreement but let see what we can work out in the next few days.”

Has PC. Alvarez Been Charged For Cervantes Case?
P.C 743 Javier Alvarez has allegedly been found guilty of two counts for Prejudice to Good Order and Discipline and was fined $200 and severely reprimanded. That is the report coming out of the Belize Police Department tonight which is yet to be confirmed. What exactly severely reprimanded, we are yet to find out.
On September 26th 2014 P.C 743 Javier Alvarez was placed on interdiction for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Ramon Cervantes Senior. According to police Alvarez was placed on disciplinary charges for two counts for Prejudice to Good Order and Discipline for apparently selling a police service handcuff to wanted fugitive Manuel Castillo who police say is the mastermind behind Cervantes’ killing.

Upgrading Of 4th And 6th Street Well Under Way
On November 4th, we reported that several intersections in Corozal Town connected to the Philip Goldson Highway and a large portion of the highway itself was opened for vehicular use after they were upgraded.
Under the major Highway project, the Government of Belize also requested that two other roads within Corozal Town be identified for refurbishing. Under that particular part of the project 4th and 6th are currently being cemented.

GOB Clarifies Criterias To Qualify for Resident Mortgage Payment Program
December is usually the month for giving and for the Government of Belize that seems to be the path they have taken. When we left you last night we told you about the criteria’s that must be met to qualify for GOB’s Residential Mortgage Payment Program.
Today Government clarified those criteria’s. In order for Belizeans to qualify for the reimbursement of their December 2014 interest and principal payments on all residential mortgages with an original value of up to BZE$ 100,000, the must be borrowers from the National Bank, Commercial Banks, Credit Unions, the Development Finance Corporation and the Belize Social Security Board.

CANACO Have Join With Belizean To Organize Tourism Fair
The Embassy of Mexico in Belize and the National Chamber of Commerce “Canaco” which stands for La Cámara Nacional de Comercio, Servicios y Turismo in Mexico have joined hands to organize a Tourism Fair here in Belize. The event promises to see the participation of approximately 17 hotel companies and travel agencies from Othon P. Blanco and from Bacalar.
According to the Mexican press Novedades Quintana Roo, the group left for Belize this morning with the objective to present and exchange package deals of the various tourism sites in both countries, since the peak of the tourism season in Belize and Quintana Roo coincide.

Bishop Martin High School Wins SAGICOR Competition
The Sagicor Visionaries Challenge (SVC) is a design competition in which students in schools work in teams and use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to solve a problem in their school or community. The SVC is a collaborative programme between Sagicor, the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Today the second annual highly competitive national SVC came to an end in Belize City where judges had the hard task of picking the winning projects amongst 32 projects that were on display from 28 high schools across the county including Muffles High School, Bishop Martin High School and Technical High School from Orange Walk.

LICU Signs MOU With BELTRADE
Today the La Inmaculada Credit Union signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will serve to strengthen its services to its membership and potential members. That MOU was signed with the Small Business Development Center at BELTRAIDE this morning. Dalila Ical has more on the story.
Dalila Ical – Reporting
Ligia Gideon
“They’re a power house this side of the country and SB Belize is making a name in Belize City as well and the whole function is to be able to make the business community more viable in order not only to access credit but to be able to repay their loans as well.”

Disability Week Observed In CorozalThis week is observed as Disability Week in the country of Belize and while in other districts the week was officially launched yesterday, in Corozal Town the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports officially launched the week this morning with a parade through the principal streets of that municipality.
Within the Corozal District there are three special needs centers of which all three came out today to take part in this year’s event.
Jahmor Lopez – Manager MOE
“We had the participation of centers, the students and teachers and also other groups who were invited to participate, the whole idea behind disability awareness week is to sensitize the general public about students and people within the community who have special needs and referred to them as differently able and for us to promote the whole concept of inclusion, so it is about education, awareness, empowerment and inclusion because the statistics is that worldwide here are about a billion individuals who are term disable, it is a very large population and not much is being done to assist these individuals so that they can be a part of their society in terms of contributing economically, socially and so it is to bring awareness to the general public.”

Marine Scientist Joins OCEANA BelizeToday, Oceana-Belize announced that a highly qualified Marine Scientist has joined its staff. Dr. Isani Chan, originally from Punta Gorda town, returns to Belize for the job after spending eight years overseas during which he was engaged in extensive work in the field of marine conservation and research.
Dr. Isani Chan holds doctoral degrees in both Marine Biology and Philosophy from the National Taiwan Ocean University in Taiwan as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Belize. For the past eight years, he has been working in Taiwan in the field of natural resource management and conservation.

The Fight Against Aids Continues In CorozalYesterday the entire populace celebrated World Aids Day under the theme “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.”
Worldwide the primary focus was to break the stigma barrier and here in Belize activities took place country wide to reach that aim. One of those activities was carried out by the National Aids Commission Country Commitment Mechanism in Corozal and it came in the form of a student’s forum. At the end of the forum the organization hosted a lantern lifting ceremony at Miami Beach. According to Clemente Novelo, Chairman of NAC, the activity was organized in remembrance of those who have fallen to the deadly HIV virus and as a symbol of solidarity for those battling the disease and face discrimination.

Belize Hands Over Presidency Of COMISCA To GuatemalaGuatemala now holds the pro-tempore presidency of COMISCA. The handing over was done following two days of regional discussions at the XLI Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA).
Minister of Health of Guatemala Luis Enrique Monterroso accepted on behalf of his government which will now serve for the next six months. In the last six months that Belize held the position, renewed attention was focused on chronic diseases including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Family & Community health. In his statement, Minister Monterroso expressed that his position as Minister of Health is vital as he must serve the public and alleviate the suffering of the poor. He added that quote, “We as COMISCA must have that same vision that united we can do much more to alleviate the suffering of the poor. We as a region can do it and must always keepthat in mind.”

P.M Leaves For CARICOM SummitPrime Minister Dean Barrow travelled out today. The Prime Minister will be in Atlanta Georgia on personal leave, according to his office. On December 8th he will be attending the CARICOM-Cuba Summit in Havana, Cuba. According to the international press, Caribbean Community leaders will use the December Cuba-CARICOM Summit to discuss ways of strengthening relations.
As Cuba developed its new economic model, the forthcoming Cuba-CARICOM Summit is viewed as presenting an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen economic relations.
In a previous meeting, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriquez underlined Havana’s “unfailing solidarity and partnership” with CARICOM and expressed his country’s “appreciation for the solidarity…in reaction to the many hostile acts harmful to its economic development such as the US embargo and the extraterritorial application of US laws as well as the CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) grey listing of the country. According to reports, the regional leaders had expressed their appreciation for the technical assistance and cooperation provided by Cuba in a variety of areas including capacity building, education and health.

Special Olympics Torch Run Starts In CorozalEach year, law enforcement agencies in the Country form part of the week by taking part in the annual torch run which sees the carrying of the Special Olympics Torch across the country. It is an opportunity to raise funds to assist children with special needs as the torch run makes several stops.
This year the torch run left the Corozal Free Zone at around 7:00 this morning with members of the Corozal Police Department, Corozal Commercial Free Zone, Belize Defense Force and students taking part in the event.
Marleni Montejo – Sgt. Community Policing
“We have the BDF from here, we have the schools, high schools , sixth forms, the Cadets of course and the police officers all run for the same cause showing the community that we are together for a very good cause and we started at seven.”

LOVE FM

PG Police Launch Holiday Season Anit-Crime CampaignPolice in Punta Gorda have launched their anti-crime campaign for the holiday season. We hear more in this report from correspondent Paul Mahung.
PAUL MAHUNG
“The operation is implemented by police in Punta Gorda as explained by Deputy Commander of the Toledo Police formation, Inspector Ernell Dominguez.”
ERNELL DOMINGUEZ
“PG police has started the Anti-Crime campaign which is an operation throughout the entire country as it relates to policing. So far the success from this operation seems fruitful. The police will engage in search operations as well as targeted drunken driving check points and other police operations so as to minimize the incidence of crime within the Toledo district. I must say that so far from the success of the operation shot down which started on the 15th of October and concluded on the 30th of November the public was pretty much helpful to us, we appreciate that and we expect more of this in the future of the Anti-Crime operation and we believe in the future it will rid this community of crime.”

CMLF Conducts Two Days WorkshopThe Caribbean Med Lab Foundation (CMLF) supported by the Global Fund Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Belize Bureau of Standards is conducting a workshop to develop a National Laboratory Policy and Regulatory Framework for Belize. The objectives of the workshop is to identify and agree on challenges in the medical and public health laboratory services in Belize; to review the draft laboratory regulatory and policy framework for the Caribbean; and to initiate the development of a National Laboratory Policy for the operation and regulation of public and private sector laboratory services in Belize. Director of the Belize Bureau of Standard, Jose Trejo, spoke to Love News.
JOSE TRUJO
“Today’s discussion is basically to look at how we can develop a national policy for medical labs that will help them to move towards becoming accredited. It’s a long road to become accredited but the policy will help to set the stage in establishing minimum requirements for medical labs as a start and then allowing the policy to help them move from one step to the next so that labs eventually can become accredited testing laboratories in the medical field, that is the ultimate goal for this policy.”

PlusTV

DPP withdraws charge after complainant declines actionTwo men charged with a shooting incident in May of this year are free of those charges, after the complainant told the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions he did not wish to pursue further court action.
25 year old Frank Vernon Gentle and 21 year old Kendis Faber were charged with use of deadly means of harm against Radman Welch, but according to his attorney Alifa Elrington-Hyde, he had already indicated at the time of the arraignment in the May that he retracted his statement to the police in writing to the DPP.

Ammunition case has no factsChief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith has threatened to dismiss a case against three adults and a 16 year old boy charged with keeping ammunition without a gun license, after the court prosecutors was unable to present the facts of the case to her on Wednesday.
29 year old Shantel Usher, 19 year old Donovan Usher, 23 year old Danika Usher and the minor pleaded not guilty to the charges and were given a short remand date to Friday, December 5.
On Tuesday police searched a house on Cardinez Alley, Belize City, and found a bronze 9mm bullet on a shelf beside a pink bag in one of the rooms.

Mahogany Heights Logging Concerns ClarifiedOn Monday we told you about the logging situation at Mahogany Heights community, located at mile 31 on the George Price Highway.
The concerns were that the owner of the property, on which a large part of Mahogany Heights sits on, received permission from the Forestry Department to cut for pine trees near the community. The residents expressed concern that the owner may decide to cut down the trees inside their assigned lots, since they themselves don’t have the legal documents for the land that their houses sit on.
However according to the Chief Forest Officer Lizandro Quiroz, the permit that was granted to Abdul Hamze, the owner of the property, is to allow Frederick Banner to log in the area adjacent to the community and not inside the village community. The permit to log was granted on November 21st, two weeks ago and we were told that Abdul Hamze is in the process of acquiring his license to log in the said area. The logging season extends from the month of October to the month of June.

Convicted robber given 2 years in jailElvis “Rebel” Olivera was handed a two-year jail sentence on Wednesday by Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith, who found him guilty of the robbery of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) employee Kerwin Humes on March 20, 2014.
According to Mr Humes, an assistant installer, he was headed home on bicycle that night around 8:30 from a friend’s home, when a man he identified as Elvis Olivera, a former basketball teammate, rode up beside him on Regent Street, Belize City, next to the House of Culture, grabbed him from behind and threw him off his bicycle and then began to punch him in the face as he lay on the ground. Kerwin Humes said Elvis Olivera then took his Samsung Galaxy cellular phone from the top pocket of his shirt, and rode away contrary to traffic. Mr Humes positively identified Elvis Olivera as the person who robbed him.

Domestic dispute in Lord’s Bank leads to chargesA couple’s domestic problems landed the husband in the court of Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith on Wednesday.
67 years old Adolphus Barrett, a cabinet maker from Lord’s Bank, Belize District, pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault with a firearm on his wife, Hadie Barrett, who claims he pointed his licenced 9mm pistol at her, following a misunderstanding at home on Tuesday.
Despite the pleas of attorney Kevin Arthurs that his client was recopvering from cancer sergery and has an ongoing prostate problem, the Chief Magistrate remanded him into the custody of Ladyville Police Station, presumably to keep him away from the complainant, until his next court date on February 24.

Patrick Jones

The National Garifuna Council receives donation from Venezuela
The National Garifuna Council received needed chairs on Friday, November 28th, from His Excellence Yoel Perez Marcano , Ambassador to Belize from the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela. The 23 chairs, valued at $1,610.00, were handed over to the President of the Council, Asst. Commissioner of Police Robert […]

Port Loyola residents protest for better housing
About 100 residents of the Port Loyola division and surrounding divisions on the Southside today took to the streets, complaining against the lack of low-income housing for residents, which they believe to be fueled by an uncaring, vindictive Government of Belize. The demonstration was sponsored by the Opposition […]

Still no resolution of the impasse in the sugar industry
Negotiations have been resumed as it pertains to the current impasse between Belize Sugar Industries/ASR and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. Today, all 18 branch chairmen and directors from BSI converged at the Staff Club where 3 points were laid on the table. Both parties hashed […]

Convicted robber given 2 years in jail
Elvis “Rebel” Olivera was handed a two-year jail sentence today by Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith who found him guilty of the robbery of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) employee Kerwin Humes on March 20, 2014. According to Humes, an assistant installer, he was headed home on bicycle around 8:30 […]

Ammunition case has no facts
Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith has threatened to dismiss a case against three adults and a 16 year old boy charged with keeping ammunition without a gun license. This is after the court prosecutor was unable to present the facts of the case to her today. 29 year old […]

DPP withdraws charge after complainant declines action
Two men charged with a shooting incident in May of this year are free of those charges. This is after the complainant told the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions he did not wish to pursue further court action. 25 year old Frank Vernon Gentle and 21 […]

Domestic dispute in Lords’ Bank leads to charges
A couple’s domestic problems landed the husband in the court of Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith today. 67 year old Adolphus Barrett, cabinet maker from Lord’s Bank, Belize District, pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault with a firearm on his wife, Hadie Barrett, who claims he pointed […]

Belize City lights up the municipal Christmas Tree
Tonight Belize City residents were out in numbers welcoming the arrival of the Christmas season with the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree. The event took place in Mule Park in Market Square in the center of the commercial area of the old capital. The Christmas Tree is […]

Robert Tracey shot dead on Wagner’s Lane
Belize City police have identified the victim of this morning’s homicide as 27 year old Robert Austin Tracey. As we had previously reports, Tracey was shot once to the head around 10 o’clock this morning on Wagner’s Lane. At a just-concluded briefing by the police, lead investigator Superintendent […]

How technology can help disabled persons
There are more than 3,000 persons with disabilities – some call them “diverse abilities” – according to the conservative estimate by the Belize Association for Persons with Diverse A

High School Visionaries challenge gets 20 projectsThe second annual Sagicor Visionaries challenge reached its climax today with the judging of more than 20 projects submitted by high schools around the country.
According to contest organizer and Sagicor Belize executive Abel Simpson, the program is aimed at promoting the development of the STEM disciplines-sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics – in schools.

Galen Eagles team wins third straight ATLIB basketball championshipThe Galen Eagles basketball team has won the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) Basketball Championship for the third straight year.
During the annual ATLIB championship held at the end of November in Belize City, the Galen Eagles bested the St. John’s College Junior College in the championship game to take the 2014-2-15 title. According to head basketball coach Adam Carswell, the host team and runner up, SJCJC must be commended for the high level of competition on the court and also for an outstanding job of ensuring that everything ran smoothly for the championship on a whole.

TMM Belize Yacht Charters donates HP PavilionThe Saga Humane Education program, lead by Sandie Betz-Eisenberg, and Cindy Kyles and her service dog Sheila, has been successfully educating the children of Ambergris Caye with a revitalized learning program since September of this year. The Humane Education Team has presented to Ambergris Caye Elementary School, Island Academy and ABC Pre-School in the last few months, spreading
the word about the Basics of Pet Care – students learn about their pet’s basic needs, as well as the importance of safety around animals, Respecting animals – students learn the importance of the human-animal bond and why proper animal treatment is very important, and Pet Overpopulation – students learn about the issue of pet overpopulation, its root cause and the Saga Spay/Neuter Initiative

Boogie’s Belly and a Beauty Expo in San Pedro, BelizeAnd while in town, I stopped by Boogie’s Belly (I am waiting for the t-shirts!) for lunch. Their facebook page and their morning post lured me in…
Mmmm…sere. Coconutty fish broth. Such the perfect day for it.
But when I stopped in at 1pm, the special had changed. No fresh fish. Fair enough.
No problem. Taco Tuesday it is. Pork tacos that were very tasty. It’s all about the pickled slaw.
They also have a new sign up…meat pie protocol. Apparently the DELICIOUS meat pies are getting so popular in the morning, that there are now rules.

Update on The Split and Lazy Lizard Bar on Caye Caulker: All Is Not Perfect in ParadiseAllegedly, the owner of the land has a new partner who wants to upgrade and take over management. He gave the current leasee, Immer, a few months and a date to leave. November 1st. But Immer was only 3 years in to a 5 year lease. And expected compensation for giving up this PRIME location early.
So the doors were locked as of November 1st, the liquor license (in the name of the land owner) was revoked and the Lazy Lizard was closed.
Here is what I hear: today the owners had the electrical lines and meter removed from the Lazy Lizard.
And allegedly, the Caye Caulker Village Council has denied a new liquor license without a written letter from the land owner.
But isn’t that what the original five year lease was about?
The saga continues!
Let’s HOPE this is resolved amicably (is that even possible now?) by Christmas and New Years! So that our beloved Lazy Lizard can re-open serving Belikins…just like it should be.

A Day Trip to Blue Creek CaveIf you plan on spending any time in Southern Belize, be sure to save a day for the Blue Creek Cave. Known in Maya as Hokeb Ha Cave (“Where the Water Enters the Earth”), the cave system starts in Santa Cruz and runs for about five miles before exiting near the Mayan village of Blue Creek. The water’s roaring exit through the cave’s mouth is an absolutely gorgeous sight and is definitely one of the top sightseeing opportunities in the Toledo District.
In the rainy season, the water rushes and roars through a tight ravine, cascading through small waterfalls, pools, and rapids. You can swim at the large pool at the cave’s mouth, but the current is too strong to adventure much further in. However, the rainy season hike to cave is worth it if just to experience the pristine beauty of the forest ecosystem. The trail is lined with beautiful trees and flowering plants and the rainforest is home to wildlife including otters, iguanas, birds, fish, and bats.

Beachy images and tropical fun to look at, from Placencia, Belize!For those living in winter climates, sometimes just looking at beachy homes can improve your mood. Admittedly....the weather down here this week has been a bit overcast and drizzly, and we experienced on Thanksgiving, the coldest day the locals had seen for a long time :).
So to improve all our outlooks, I am doing a post with some cute beach home images, and some of the fun to be had here in paradise :)
Of course, I am excluding Caribbean Beach Cabanas, as that would be unfair. :)
One of the things that drew me to Placencia was feeling so overwhelmed by the perfect beach homes here. Right when you see some of them, you immediately picture yourself on the veranda, sipping coffee....here are just a couple of my favorites....
Casa Del Sol.....pictures don't do it justice! It looks like a Roman bath and a Spanish mansion had a baby.

Who Bex Bex!!! Mahmud
Resigns From The House:“Who Bex Bex”!!! Joseph
Mahmud, Peoples United Party
(PUP) Area Representative for Cayo
North, has abruptly resigned.
About a month ago Mahamud
had indicated that he would not be
seeking re-election in 2017 but would
serve out his term. Today however,
all that changed when he resigned as
a member of Parliament.
This immediately puts his
Cayo North seat up for grabs as a
bi-election must be held within the
next 90 days. The UDP is rearing to go with its
standard bearer Omar Figueroa,
who was elected as Standard Bearer
earlier this year in February. The PUP
on the other hand has not found a new
standard bearer since Mahmud
indicated he would not run again.
Attorney Michel Chebat and
businessman Richard Harrison
have both declared an interest in the
division. The PUP must now move
quickly to hold a convention to either
elect or endorse someone. It must be said that the opposition
seems to have been caught with their
pants down, because up until mid October Mahmud said that he would
serve out his term and not seek
re-election, he mentioned nothing
about resigning. However, something
happened between then and this
morning at 11:00 am, when he
resigned with immediate effect.

Bahadur And Molina
Remanded To Hattieville:Two young men from Santa Elena
have been remanded to the Central
Prison in Hattieville for the rape and
forcible abduction of a 14 year old
minor.
On Sunday, November 16, a female
minor accompanied by her mother
visited the San Ignacio police station
and reported that whilst walking on
George Price Avenue in the company
of her sister, a red heavily tinted four
door car, pulled up beside them when
an occupant of the vehicle alighted
wearing a white cloth covering most
of his face, revealing only his eyes,
forced her sister into the waiting car.
She reported that upon witnessing
this, she ran away.

Editorial: Still I Rise:By: Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise...

Mexican President Pena
Nieto To Overhaul Police:Mexico’s President Enrique Pena
Nieto delivers a speech during a
national broadcasting message from
National Palace in Mexico City,
México, 27 November 2014.
Protesters have criticised Mexico's
leader over the disappearance of 43
students.
Mexico gang 'admits student
deaths' and Mexican President
Enrique Pena Nieto has announced
plans to overhaul the country's
police forces, in the wake of the
disappearance of 43 students.
Mr Nieto said he would unify all
local police units into one national
force.
The students, all trainee teachers,
went missing in September after
joining a protest in Iguala, Guerrero
state.

World AIDS Day 2014:December 1st is World AIDS Day.
The National AIDS Commission
(NAC), the National HIV Programme
of the Ministry of Health and their
partner agencies invite you to become
an interactive part of World AIDS
Day 2014 activities. This year’s theme
is: Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV
infections. Zero discrimination.
Zero AIDS-related deaths.
HIV is now considered to be a
concentrated epidemic in Belize. The
recently completed Modes of
Transmission Study suggests that
around 70% of new infections in 2014
will occur in men and thus the shift of the response has now turned towards
testing more men.

Influenza (Flu Virus):There are two main types of
influenza (flu) virus: Types A and B.
The influenza A and B viruses that
routinely spread in people (human
influenza viruses) are responsible
for seasonal flu epidemics each year.
Influenza A viruses can be broken
down into sub-types depending on
the genes that make up the surface
proteins. Over the course of a flu
season, different types (A & B) and
subtypes (influenza A) of influenza
circulate and cause illness.
Flu Symptoms & Severity
Influenza Symptoms
Influenza (also known as the flu)
is a contagious respiratory illness
caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild
to severe illness, and at times can lead
to death. The flu is different from a
cold. The flu usually comes on
suddenly. People who have the
flu often feel some or all of these
symptoms:

Body Of Canadian Man
Found In Mopan River:The lifeless body of a man, was
retrieved from the Mopan River on
Sunday, November 23, the person
was wearing only a black jacket.
Nicole Warner, 54, naturalized
Canadian accountant, residing in
Bullet Tree Falls village reported to
police that on Saturday, November
21, at about 4:00 p.m. she picked up her husband, James Garfield
Searles, 59, Canadian national, from
the Philip Goldson International
Airport and headed back to San
Ignacio.
She informs that whilst enroute to
San Ignacio, they stopped at Amigos
Restaurant and Bar, had food and a
few drinks. Upon arriving in San
Ignacio, they stopped at ABC Supermarket
on the Bullet Tree Road to
purchase a bottle of Travellers Gold
and two cokes. Shortly after, at
around 6:30 p.m. they arrived home
in Bullet Tree Falls, where they
continued drinking.

San Ignacio Resort Hotel’s restaurant, Running
W Steakhouse, Introduces Fresh New Menu Items:Running W Steakhouse will launch
its latest menu that features new,
innovative items made fresh daily by
our Chefs. The restaurant, known for
its local and international cuisine,
welcoming atmosphere and premium
meats from their own family ranch,
will introduce the new menu on
December 1st which includes eight
new appetizers, four new sandwiches
& salads, nine new entrées, six new
desserts and several new cocktails.
During the process of revamping the
Running W Steakhouse menu, the
restaurant tested many of the new
dishes on the weekly specials menu.
“We had so many great ideas
for new dishes that it became
extremely difficult choosing
what should be featured
permanently,” said Kristin Utsman,
Assistant Manager.”We have enough
new dishes to feature 3 different
menus that will be introduced
seasonally”

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Caribbean Food: 5 Things to Eat in BelizeCaribbean food is a very diverse cuisine and borrows influences from many countries and regions around the world, like African, European, Arabic, East Indian, Amerindian, and Chinese, among many others. Many Caribbean food recipes often call for ingredients including rice, plantains, beans, cassava, coconuts, potatoes, and meat including beef, pork, poultry, and fish.
If you are look to discover Caribbean food, Belize has some great Caribbean dishes and Caribbean food recipes. Belize is a country rich with Mayan, Creole, and African cultural influences, among many others. Caribbean food also plays an important role in the country’s culinary scene.
Fry jacks, which are like deep-fried tortillas that can be eaten with different cheeses or refried beans, are one of the most popular breakfast foods in Belize.
Rice and beans is definitely a dish to try when visiting Belize. Rice and beans, typically cooked in coconut milk, is a very commonplace accompaniment many main dishes in Belize.
Stew chicken is widely eaten around Belize, as are stew beef and stew fish, which are often in dark stews made with many spices and achiote paste, a popular blend of spices that helps give the stew its darker color.